Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith
LEVITICUS 3 & 4: “ENJOYING A BBQ WITH GOD” – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.
INTRODUCTION: Today’s bible study title will make sense in a moment.
As we study through Leviticus, let’s keep in mind that as God’s people approached the Tabernacle to eagerly bring and joyfully give their offerings, whether it was for the forgiveness of sin or the sake of sheer gratitude towards God, God is there in their midst. In a very tangible way, His voice can be heard and His glory can be seen.
His divine and powerful presence is there in the awesome form of a fiery pillar by night and a cloudy pillar by day (aka The Shekinah Glory of God). And because God is Holy, He sets all the rules and regulations in which His people must approach Him, lest they die. Not because He wants them dead but because they cannot handle His nearness without Him making it possible.
In PSALM 99:7a, 8a King David reflects on this time (Moses’ time) in Israel’s history, and says, “He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar…You were to them GOD-WHO-FORGIVES (In Hebrew: EL NAHSAH).”
[What’s so fascinating about this Hebrew word is that it not only means, He Who forgives, but also He Who bears (or carries). This points to the One Who would bear the sins of His people (ISAIAH 53), Who would carry His cross to Calvary – the LORD Jesus Christ by Whom we have forgiveness of our sin!]
For thirty other powerful names of GOD in the Hebrew, check out this listing!